Emerging reports indicate that former Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola and former Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi are in discussions to join the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Additionally, the former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, former Nasarawa State Governor, Abdullahi Adamu, and other aggrieved members of the All Progressives Congress (APC), including former Ministers from President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration, are also reportedly in talks to defect to the SDP.
This development comes amid intensified discussions among opposition parties about forming a unified front to challenge President Bola Tinubu and the ruling APC in the 2027 general election. According to sources, the opposition coalition could involve Atiku Abubakar’s faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Peter Obi’s faction of the Labour Party (LP), and former Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai, who recently defected to the SDP.
The strategy reportedly involves aligning under an already existing registered party. However, if an agreement cannot be reached, the opposition may consolidate under the SDP, which appears to be a preferred alternative. In a recent interview on AIT’s "Focus" program, Kola Ologbondiyan, former PDP National Publicity Secretary, stated that discussions on opposition mergers have been progressing positively.
“The opposition political leaders will present a formidable front that will give Nigerians hope,” Ologbondiyan asserted, adding that defeating the current APC-led government in 2027 could be feasible given the political moves underway.
With El-Rufai’s defection to the SDP and the potential inclusion of other high-profile figures, the 2027 elections could witness a major political realignment in Nigeria.
